Legal Control Methods Involving Magpies

Magpies can cause a lot of trouble on our properties and this is the reason why many property owners look for efficient ways to get rid of them. Of course, they are also looking for methods that are completely legal and for those who don’t know, legal control methods include trapping or shooting, as long as a general license is obtained.

A specific kind of cage trap known as a Larsen trap is designed to catch magpies and other birds alive without causing any harm to the health of these birds. The birds can be baited with the help of food or even with a live magpie decoy as long as all welfare rules are met. In Scotland, a Larsen trap must include a unique tag for identification which users can get from a Wildlife Crime Officer.

If you believe that a bird trap has been installed illegally to capture birds of prey, feel free to contact the local WCO. It is also good to know that gun laws don’t allow shooting of magpies in areas close to houses and public roads. There are specific measures that must be adhered to in the general license for any kind of shooting or trapping to take place. Obviously, illegal magpie control like poisoning that puts other birds and animals at risk are strongly discouraged and you could face prosecution if you use this method.

There are many people who want to control magpies in their yards and gardens. This is quite understandable because magpies are known for their tendency to take chicks and eggs that belong to other birds. However, according to numerous scientific studies, magpies are not a real threat to common garden birds. This means that the utilisation of general license may be questionable.

People who will kill magpies on their property may be legally challenged and they will have to provide proof that the killing was necessary. In cases like this, the scientific findings which indicate that magpies are no threat to garden birds will be used as evidence against the perpetrator.

To find out more about the laws surrounding the control of magpies, please contact us now.